Hazards which surround a construction site have been highlighted to youngsters to boost their safety awareness.

Morgan Sindall delivered a “safety on site” assembly for pupils at Jericho Primary School in Whitehaven.

Building work is due to begin at the school and also at the nearby site of St Benedict’s secondary school, which is due to be transformed into a £30m education campus.

Children got the chance to try on protective clothing and enter a poster design competition to reinforce the importance of site safety.

Josh Nixon won the competition and the runners up were Jack Elsmore and Jaya Stephenson.

Jack, a year six pupil, said: “I learned about what to wear to be safe if you’re walking around a construction site.

“I also learned how to report a problem such as a hole in a fence.

I have enjoyed doing the poster competition because I like drawing – I have drawn shiny bits on cones, signs and security gates which you shouldn’t go through.”

Gillian Johnston, community investment coordinator for Morgan Sindall, said she was impressed by the children’s enthusiasm.

“Their posters were of a very high standard and demonstrated that they had listened to the key messages,” she added. “They asked relevant questions and seemed genuinely interested about how to stay safe.”

Deputy head Jo McGill said: “The children learned some important lessons about staying safe in and around construction sites.

“They thoroughly enjoyed being able to try on the protective clothing and have made a real effort with their safety posters.

“The safety assembly was particularly relevant as one of our local secondary schools, St Benedict’s, is soon to begin construction works; and Jericho itself is due to be rebuilt in the near future.”